Michigan offers Mercury collection program|

Published 6:30 am, Sunday, April 28, 2013

Environmental Quality Co. (EQC) and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality are partnering to form the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Mercury Collection Project.

This will be an on-going effort to collect and properly recycle mercury. Small and large business operations have traditionally been overlooked during mercury collection events. The project’s objective is to address this issue and promote a long-term solution for easily collecting and recycling of mercury.

The program is free to anyone located in Michigan — residents included.

Upon request, EQC will send a free collection bucket with a shipping box to your door via common carrier. Each bucket will contain easy-to-follow return instructions. Once the bucket is filled with the mercury containing device(s), simply apply the return label (provided with your bucket), securely tape the box, and place it where a designated shipper normally picks up your packages. EQC will facilitate the recycling of the mercury.

Most mercury items can be returned through this mail-back program. Some examples of eligible mercury containing devices include: thermometers, thermostats, gauges with silver colored liquid inside, dental amalgam, hydrometers, etc.

The program ends Sept. 30. For a bucket call: (734) 547-2517 or e-mail mercurybucket@eqonline.com